The '''Morthond''', also called '''''Blackroot''''', was counted as second of the [[Rivers of Gondor|Seven Rivers of Gondor]], named so because its source was in the dark caverns of the [[Dead Men]].

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It began on the southern edges of the [[Dwimorberg]] at the end of the [[Paths of the Dead]] in the [[White Mountains]], then flowing past the ancient fortress of [[Erech]], it went on its long journey south, avoiding the Green Hills of the [[Pinnath Gelin]] while picking up its tributary [[Calenhir]], and entering the sea at [[Edhellond]].

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| name= Morthond

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| othernames=Blackroot

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[[Aragorn]] and the [[Grey Company]] emerged from the [[Paths of the Dead]] in Morthond's vale and followed the river briefly to Erech on their way to southern [[Gondor]].

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| etymology=

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| type=River

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| location=In [[Anfalas]] in [[Gondor]], south of the [[White Mountains]]

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| inhabitants=[[Elves]], [[Gondorians]]

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| realms=[[Gondor]]

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| description=

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| events=[[Aragorn]]'s ride to[[Erech]]

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The '''Morthond''' ([[Sindarin|S.]] "Black root") was one of the seven rivers of [[Gondor]]. It arose in the [[White Mountains]] in a narrow valley that led to the southern entrance of the [[Paths of the Dead]].<ref name="Passing">{{RK|V2}}</ref> The river flowed southwest for half its length and then turned southeast before joining the [[Ringló]]<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref> near [[Cobas Haven]].<ref name="West">{{WR|3|XIV}}, West, p. 434</ref>

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==History==

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Near the confluence of the Morthond and the Ringló was the ancient Elf-haven of [[Edhellond]]. This refuge had been founded at the beginning of the [[Second Age]] by a remnant of [[Elves]] from [[Doriath]].<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}, ''Amroth and Nimrodel''</ref>

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At the time of the [[War of the Ring]] the lord of the [[Blackroot Vale]] was [[Duinhir]]. He and his two sons, [[Duilin]] and [[Derufin]], marched to [[Minas Tirith]] with five hundred bowmen to aid in the city's defense.<ref>{{RK|V1}}</ref> On [[8 March]] {{TA|3019}} [[Aragorn]], [[Gimli]], [[Legolas]], the [[Grey Company]], and the [[Oathbreakers|Army of the Dead]] exited from the Paths of the Dead alongside the Morthond.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> They followed the young river before crossing a bridge on their way to the [[Stone of Erech]].<ref name="Passing"/>

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==Etymology==

==Etymology==

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''Morthond'' is a [[Sindarin]] name meaning "black-root".<ref>{{UT|Index}}, ''Morthond''</ref> The first element ''mor'' means "dark" or "black".<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''mor''</ref> The second element ''thond'' means "root".<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 96</ref>

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''Morthond'' is a [[Sindarin]] name meaning "black-root".<ref>{{VT|42a}}, p. 14</ref> The latter element is ''thond'' ("root"),<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 96</ref> and the first is surely ''[[morn]]'' ("dark").

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==Other Versions of theLegendarium==

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==Portrayal in Adaptations==

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The course and placement of the Morthond changed greatly during the writing of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. In the First Map of [[Middle-earth]] the Morthond was separate from and far west of the Ringló (with [[Dol Amroth]] far to the west of the Morthond).<ref>{{TI|MIII}}</ref> When [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] developed Outline VI for Book V in ''[[The Return of the King]]'' he drew a map with the Morthond east of the Ringló and the Morthond joined the [[Anduin]] near its mouth.<ref>{{WR|3|II}}</ref> When Tolkien made the detailed Second Map there were four rivers – [[Calenhir]], Morthond, Kiril, and Ringló – that flowed independently until they all combined just before exiting into Cobas Haven.<ref name="West"/>

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'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''

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Morthond is a German server, it was originally hosted by [[Codemasters]] but was taken over on [[1 June]] [[2011].<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.casualstrolltomordor.com/2011/04/turbines-lotro-service-goes-global/|articlename=Turbine's LOTRO Service Goes Global|dated=24 April 2011|website=A Casual Stroll to Mordor|accessed=2 January 2012}}</ref>

Etymology

Morthond is a Sindarin name meaning "black-root".[7] The first element mor means "dark" or "black".[8] The second element thond means "root".[9]

Other Versions of theLegendarium

The course and placement of the Morthond changed greatly during the writing of The Lord of the Rings. In the First Map of Middle-earth the Morthond was separate from and far west of the Ringló (with Dol Amroth far to the west of the Morthond).[10] When J.R.R. Tolkien developed Outline VI for Book V in The Return of the King he drew a map with the Morthond east of the Ringló and the Morthond joined the Anduin near its mouth.[11] When Tolkien made the detailed Second Map there were four rivers – Calenhir, Morthond, Kiril, and Ringló – that flowed independently until they all combined just before exiting into Cobas Haven.[3]